scholarly journals Role of physiotherapy in supporting recovery from breast cancer treatment: a qualitative study embedded within the UK PROSPER trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e040116
Author(s):  
Sophie Rees ◽  
Bruno Mazuquin ◽  
Helen Richmond ◽  
Esther Williamson ◽  
Julie Bruce
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Breast Cancer Surgery ◽  
Sense Of Control ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Behavioural Strategies

ObjectivesTo explore the experiences of women with breast cancer taking part in an early physiotherapy-led exercise intervention compared with the experiences of those receiving usual care. To understand physiotherapists’ experience of delivering the trial intervention. To explore acceptability of the intervention and issues related to the implementation of the Prevention Of Shoulder Problems (PROSPER) programme from participant and physiotherapist perspective.DesignQualitative semistructured interviews with thematic analysis.SettingUK National Health Service.ParticipantsTwenty participants at high risk of shoulder problems after breast cancer surgery recruited to the UK PROSPER trial (10 each from the intervention arm and control arm), and 11 physiotherapists who delivered the intervention. Trial participants were sampled using convenience sampling. Physiotherapists were purposively sampled from high and low recruiting sites.ResultsParticipants described that the PROSPER exercise intervention helped them feel confident in what their body could do and helped them regain a sense of control in the context of cancer treatment, which was largely disempowering. Control arm participants expressed less of a sense of control over their well-being. Physiotherapists found the exercise intervention enjoyable to deliver and felt it was valuable to their patients. The extra time allocated for appointments during intervention delivery made physiotherapists feel they were providing optimal care, being the ‘perfect physio’. Lessons were learnt about the implementation of a complex exercise intervention for women with breast cancer, and the issues raised will inform the development of a future implementation strategy.ConclusionsA physiotherapist-delivered early supported exercise intervention with integrated behavioural strategies helped women at risk of shoulder problems following breast cancer treatment to feel more confident in their ability to mobilise their arm post-surgery. A physiotherapist-delivered early supported exercise intervention with integrated behavioural strategies may address the sense of powerlessness that many women experience during breast cancer treatment.Trial registration numberISRCTN35358984.

Livelihood vs. Life: The Occupational Well-Being of Women Musician Survivors of Breast Cancer

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Schmalenberger ◽  
Charles E Gessert ◽  
Jean E Giebenhain ◽  
Lisa D Starr
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Cancer Treatments

The Life and Livelihood Study was designed to describe and understand the experience of women musicians treated for breast cancer. This report focuses on Phase I of the study, a web-based survey that examined subjects’ physical symptoms and side effects following breast cancer treatment. Subjects were recruited nationally, using advertisements in musicians’ publications and presentations at national meetings. Subjects were asked about specific side effects or symptoms they had experienced, their severity and duration, and the effects of symptoms on their capacity to make music. Subjects were also asked what aspect of their breast cancer treatment they associated with each symptom and were invited to provide comments. A total of 321 individuals logged on: 100 met all inclusion criteria. Of these, 90 completed the entire survey. Commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (70%), problems with cognition (53%), limitations in upper body movement (51%), and pain (45%). Many reported that their symptoms were of moderate or greater intensity, and that they persisted for >12 months or were ongoing. The survey documented that many subjects experienced diminished capacity to function as musicians, especially due to pain, limitations in upper body and extremity movement, numbness in the chest and/or arms, contracture/fibrosis, and shortness of breath. These findings are consistent with emerging studies that describe long-term effects of breast cancer treatments. In planning for breast cancer treatment, rehabilitation and survivorship, consideration should be given to how treatment is likely to affect fitness for ongoing professional work.

Lymphedema of breast cancer: risk factor and treatment

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-321
Author(s):  
Ana H. Losken ◽  
Elisa Mullan
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk Factor ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Breast Cancer Surgery ◽  
Secondary Lymphedema ◽  
Lymph Node Transfer ◽  
Arm Lymphoedema ◽  
Chronic Lymphedema

One of the well-known complication of breast cancer treatment is secondary lymphedema; an accumulation of protein-rich interstitial fluid due to the insufficient capacity of the lymphatic system. Lymphedema are affects about 20-30% of women following breast cancer treatment and the risk factors associated with lymphedema development after breast cancer surgery and or radiotherapy are not well established. Early diagnosis and treatment is considered important for successful management of breast cancer related arm lymphoedema. The objective of this study is to assess the value of risk factor and treatment modality of lymphedema. Electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE®, EMBASE, CINAHL®, and Social Sciences Citation Index. Articles were included where researchers used qualitative research methods and when a comprehensive description of methods and the study's findings were provided. Among 1210 articles, 30-37% developed lymphedema and 45% associated with incresead body mass index (BMI), 53% related with higher stage of disease. Furthermore; 74% strongly step rise with the number of involved lymph nodes; 41% in comorbid diseases, and the time after surgery showed significant correlation with the development of lymphedema in 32%. Suction-assisted protein lipectomy (SAPL) has been shown to safely and effectively reduce the solid component of swelling in chronic lymphedema and microsurgery procedures, including lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), have been shown to be effective in the management of the fluid component of lymphedema and allow for decreased garment use.

Working After Breast Cancer Treatment: Lessons from Musicians

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Schmalenberger ◽  
Charles E Gessert ◽  
Jean E Giebenhain ◽  
Lisa D Starr
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Sense Of Control ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
The Common ◽  
Cancer Experience ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Current Report

OBJECTIVE: The Life and Livelihood Study was created to examine the impact of breast cancer treatment on musicians. The current report summarizes findings from the second (interview) phase of this study. METHODS: Female musicians who had been treated for breast cancer 1 to 5 years earlier were recruited to participate in the first (survey) phase of the study. Subjects who completed the survey were invited to participate in the second (interview) phase. After obtaining informed consent, 38 subjects were interviewed by telephone, using an interview guide covering eight broad areas of the subjects’ breast cancer experience. Transcripts of the interviews were read, coded and analyzed by the four investigators, using qualitative analysis methods. RESULTS: Four broad themes emerged from the data: 1) the impact of the adverse effects of breast cancer treatment on musicians; 2) the need of these musicians to be understood as individuals and as professionals; 3) survivors’ efforts to regain a sense of control over their lives and work; and 4) the subjects’ integration of their cancer experience into their work and their world views. CONCLUSIONS: For this group of musicians many of the common adverse effects of cancer treatment were potentially devastating. Patients’ core identities as musicians (“it’s who I am”) were threatened, as were their livelihoods. Subjects drew upon their creativity and resourcefulness to integrate their breast cancer experiences into their lives.

scholarly journals Assessment of Anxiety and Depression Among Breast Cancer Patients in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 99s-99s
Author(s):  
K.A. Kyei
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Cancer of the breast happens to be one of the most important diseases worldwide and in Ghana, accounts for the highest referral at the study site. The treatment of breast cancer has evolved over the years offering patients high rates of survival. What is missing in the literature are studies that focus on determining levels of depression and anxiety and how this assessment will impact treatment outcome for breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Hence, recognizing a better understanding in this study will promote positive social change in three different ways. First, it will serve the cancer population especially patients undergoing breast cancer treatment to manage depression and anxiety. Second, it will enhance efforts for coping and finally increase the overall quality of life of these patients undergoing treatment. Aim: This study aims to find various interventions for depression and anxiety among breast cancer patients in Ghana. Methods: The author used a mixed method design to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The qualitative data were an interview with selected working participants whiles the quantitative data were a nonprobabilistic approach using a structured questionnaire. This mixed method was a triangulation that described how the interviews supported and confirmed the responses from the patient participants. There was an evaluation of the relationships with a combination of two modified scales, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). The sample consisted of 100 patients between the ages of 20-89, and six professionals with a minimum of five years' work experience. Results: Findings of this study indicated the need intervene through counseling and education on behalf of patients in Ghana as they undergo breast cancer treatment. Age and monthly income of patients were statistically significant in predicting the anxiety and depression among the patients. The R (0.397) value was less than 0.5, which depicted that the alternate hypothesis could be accepted. The independent variables significantly predicted the anxiety and depression. Conclusion: The study illustrates a need to understand how breast cancer patients in Ghana go through treatment with the high impact of anxiety and depression with treatment which affects total well-being and life after treatment. Although interventions and management should be available to breast cancer patients with anxiety and depression undergoing treatment of their coping with the burden of the disease, a striking improvement in the survival of patients could be achieved when proper systems are put in place by the Ministry of Health and the government.

scholarly journals EVALUATING THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE FULLERTON ADVANCED BALANCE SCALE IN PATIENTS WITH LYMPHEDEMA SECONDARY TO BREAST CANCER SURGERY

Lymphology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
AK Yoosefinejad ◽  
M Hadadi ◽  
P Eslamloo
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Breast Cancer Surgery ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Secondary Lymphedema ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Volumetric Measurements

Lymphedema following surgical treatment for breast cancer can impair balance and predispose patients to falling. Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) Scale is a reliable and valid tool which can identify persons with different balance levels, but its responsiveness has not been investigated in patients with lymphedema secondary to breast surgery. Thirty women with stage 2 lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment received complex decongestive therapy (CDT) for 2 weeks as a routine treatment method. They were evaluated with FAB Scale and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), volumetric measurements and circumferential measurements of the upper limbs before and after CDT. A moderate change was found in FAB score after CDT (Cohen's effect size = 0.65). For FAB, the computed standard error of the mean was 0.85 and minimal detectable change was 2.33. Significant improvement in FAB score and TUGT results, and significant reductions in circumferential and volumetric measurements were seen after 2 weeks of CDT. The FAB score change showed a moderate correlation with circumference change and volumetric change (r = -0.41) but a very weak correlation with TUGT change (r = -0.1). The FAB Scale showed acceptable responsiveness in detecting treatment effects in patients with unilateral secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatment.

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